Here is the Oregon beer news for Thursday, April 27. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Today is the big release day for Crux Fermentation Project‘s In The Pocket, their latest [BANISHED] Series barrel-aged beer. The official release takes place at their tasting room in Bend all day today: “Here at Crux we love our farmhouse ales. If you visit our tasting room you’ll see that we usualy have at least one on tap – if not more! So, when it came to adding a fourth barrel-aged creation to our [BANISHED] Series, a brett fermented saison was the obvious choice. In The Pocket is a groovy blend of two imperial saisons that we’re excited to release on the 27th. Come down to give this rustic saison a try and if you like it, pick up a bottle or two to take home. We’ll even have The Hot Club of Bend laying down the beat for us that night.” In Portland from 4 to 8pm today, Bailey’s Taproom hosts the release at The Upper Lip; and in Everett, Washington, Whistle Stop Deli and Growlers hosts the Washington release from 6 to 9pm.

Imperial Bottle Shop (Portland) is serving up Eugene’s Falling Sky Brewing for a beer and pastrami pairing today from 5 to 9pm: “One of our favorite deli’s in Oregon is the Falling Sky Pour House Delicatessen for their delicious house-made pastramis. Sometimes Eugene is a little far to drive for a sandwich, so we decided to bring a little slice of Falling Sky Brewing to Portland! We will be serving up a four beer + pastrami pairing. Get the full 4 beer and pastrami pairing with accoutrements (rye bread, mustard, pickled veggies) for $17. Beers also available by the glass and pint.”

Baerlic Brewing (Portland) has two beer releases scheduled for today, both tapping at 4pm: Freudian Sip Vienna Lager and Delight Belgian Blond Ale. About the Lager: “Brewed with Pils, Vienna, Munich and Caramunich malts, Freudian Sip Vienna Lager is a malt forward lager with toasty and slightly mallty sweet aromas with a crisp and dry finish and just a kiss of floral and spicy hops.” For the Delight they say: “Delight is a Belgian style blond ale with big aromas of Honeycrisp apple, sweet bread & candied orange with a dry and warming finish. A beer designed to leave a smile on your face!”

Widmer Brothers Brewing will be at Uptown Market Lake Oswego for a tap takeover tonight from 6 to 8pm: “We will be pouring samples of PDX Pils, Hefe “X” with mosaic hops, Lazy Bee (a honey amber brewed with smoked hops), and Drifter Pale Ale. There will also be chances to win tickets to a Thorns soccer game and lots of swag prizes!!!”

The new Little Beast Brewing will be on hand at Loyal Legion today for a meet the brewer and tasting event from 5 to 8pm: “Come meet one of our good friends, and a great brewer: Charles Porter, owner of Little Beast Brewing. Talk beer, drink beer, life is good.”

Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene) issues a couple of news releases today. First, they announced the return of Beer Run IPA: “Based in the heart of Track Town, U.S.A., Ninkasi Brewing Company returns Beer Run IPA to its Special Release Series. Available May through Sept. in 22-ounce bottles, on-draft, and for the first time in 12-ounce 6-packs, this IPA is crafted specifically with runners in mind marrying a rich malt complexity with a clean, tropical hop profile.”

Then they also announced that they are teaming up with Bigfoot Beverages to launch “Funds for Firefighters”: “Ninkasi Brewing Company has teamed up with wholesale partner, Bigfoot Beverages to offer a month-long give-back program in support of City of Bend Fire Department (IAFF Local 227), called “Funds for Firefighters.” For every Ninkasi keg sold in Bend, Ore. and surrounding areas during the month of May, $20 will be donated to support the Bend Fire Community Assistance Program—providing immediate assistance and relief to those experiencing crisis.” This sounds like a terrific program (and of course I’m biased as I live in Bend!).

Hood River’s Full Sail Brewing announced the release of their own IPA today as well, Hop Shooter IPA: “Shot through with four kinds of NW hops, our new Hop Shooter IPA is fully loaded with flavor. Grab a fistful of ale! New to our Brewmaster Reserve line, Hop Shooter IPA was dry hopped with four varieties of Northwest hops. This Chinook-forward IPA was “shot” with more than 1.5 pounds of hops per barrel delivering intense piney aromas complemented with hints of tropical fruit. Moderate bitterness balances a foundation of Pale and Crystal malts resulting in a very drinkable IPA.” It hits the market May through September.